Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTRG25CAGHTPME7X4VM4B72

Aurora Carter, known to her friends as Rory, pushed open the heavy door of The Raven's Nest. The distinctive green neon sign above the entrance hummed softly, a beacon in the dimly lit Soho night. Inside, the dim lights and old maps on the walls gave the place a timeless feel. She took a seat at the bar, where Silas, the bar owner, was wiping down the counter with a well-worn cloth. "Evening, Rory," Silas greeted, his hazel eyes crinkling at the corners. "Usual?" She nodded, leaning back on her stool. "Yeah, thanks, Si." He nodded, setting a glass of whiskey in front of her. She took a sip, savoring the familiar burn. It was a ritual, her visits to The Raven's Nest, a place that felt more like home than any other in London. As she sipped her drink, the door creaked open again, and a woman walked in. Rory's heart skipped a beat. It was Eva, her old friend from Cardiff, the one who had urged her to leave everything behind and start afresh in London. Eva's blonde hair was cut shorter now, and her once vibrant eyes seemed a bit more subdued. But there was no mistaking that confident stride. "Eva," Rory breathed, nearly spilling her drink. Eva's face lit up, a smile breaking through the years. "Rory? Is that you?" She hurried over, and the two women embraced, a mixture of joy and awkwardness in the gesture. "God, it's been too long," Eva said, pulling back to look at Rory. "You look good." Rory managed a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "You too, Eva. What brings you to London?" Eva slid into the stool next to her. "I'm in town for a conference. I didn't expect to run into you here. How have you been?" Rory shrugged, her fingers tightening around the glass. "Same old, same old. Working at Yu-Fei's place, living above the bar. You know how it is." Eva nodded, her gaze drifting to the old maps on the walls. "It's been a tough few years for me, too. I moved to Manchester after everything. Got a new job, a new life. But sometimes, I can't help but think about the past." Silas placed a glass of wine in front of Eva, giving her a nod before returning to his duties. Rory watched her friend, sensing a depth of emotion she hadn't seen in a long time. "What's been the hardest part?" Rory asked, her voice gentle. Eva took a sip of her wine, her eyes distant. "Letting go. Moving on from the person I used to be. I used to be so ... fearless, you know? But now, I feel like I'm always looking over my shoulder. That's what the past does, it haunts you." Rory's fingers twitched on her glass. "I know what you mean. I thought leaving Cardiff would be the end of it, but some things just stick with you." Eva's eyes met Rory's, a shared understanding passing between them. "You did the right thing, leaving Evan. You deserve better than that." Rory nodded, a small smile forming. "Thanks, Eva. I needed to hear that." The two sat in companionable silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. Silas appeared beside them, his presence comforting in its familiarity. "Everything okay, ladies?" he asked, his voice low and steady. "We're fine, Si," Rory assured him. "Just catching up." Silas nodded, giving them a knowing look before moving to assist another patron. Eva leaned in closer, her voice soft. "I should have come to see you sooner. I just ... I didn't know what to say, after everything that happened." Rory sighed, her eyes drifting to the map of Wales behind the bar. "It's okay, Eva. We both had a lot to deal with. I guess we just lost touch." Eva nodded, her fingers playing with the stem of her glass. "I wish we could go back to the way things were. Before everything fell apart." Rory shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "We can't, Eva. But we can make new memories, new paths. We're both stronger now, and that's something to be proud of." Eva's eyes welled up, but she blinked back the tears. "You're right. We can't change the past, but we can move forward. Together, if you want." Rory smiled, a genuine one this time. "I'd like that." They clinked glasses, a toast to the future, to the possibility of healing and new beginnings. The weight of the past still lingered, but for now, they were just two old friends, reunited in a place that felt like a sanctuary. Silas watched them from across the bar, a small smile on his face. Some wounds took time to heal, but the bonds of friendship were strong. He raised his glass in a silent salute, the rattle of the bar's old neon sign a steady rhythm in the background.